Protective undergarment for use by a hockey player or hockey goaltender

ABSTRACT

A protective undergarment comprising a waist portion comprising an elastic material and being dimensioned to be snugly worn about a waist of a body and of a wearer, a pair of leg portions comprising an elastic material and extending from the waist portion, each leg portion dimensioned to encircle a leg of the wearer&#39;s body and comprising an ankle portion comprising a cut-resistant material, and impact absorbing pads connected to a back side of each of said leg portions configured to protect a back of the wearer&#39;s legs, the impact absorbing pads comprising a lower pad to protect a calf portion of the wearer&#39;s legs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/182,990, filed on Feb. 18, 2014. The disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosures relates to the field of protective sportsequipment and in particular to a protective undergarment for use by ahockey player or hockey goaltender.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Various types of protective equipment are worn by hockey players toprotect them from body contact, hockey sticks, hockey pucks and hockeyskates.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,559 to Regan discloses an undergarment for use by ahockey player comprising a one-piece torso portion having a headopening, leg openings and arm openings; a neck guard assembly comprisingan integral neck guard coupled to the torso portion adjacent at the headopening, and a releasable attachment means coupled to the neck guard topermit the neck guard to be securely positioned on a neck of the player;a sock support positioned adjacent to each of the leg openings; anopening to permit the hockey player to don the undergarment; and azipper positioned so that when closed the undergarment and the socksupports are retained in place on the hockey player.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a protective undergarmentcomprising a waist portion comprising an elastic material and beingdimensioned to be snugly worn about a waist of a body and of a wearer, apair of leg portions comprising an elastic material and extending fromthe waist portion, each leg portion dimensioned to encircle a leg of thewearer's body and comprising an ankle portion comprising a cut-resistantmaterial, and impact absorbing pads connected to a back side of each ofsaid leg portions configured to protect a back of the wearer's legs, theimpact absorbing pads comprising a lower pad to protect a calf portionof the wearer's legs.

In one form, the impact absorbing pads comprise an upper pad to protecta back of a thigh portion of the wearer's legs. A sock support isconnected to each of the leg portions, the sock support configured tosecure a removable sock. The sock support comprises at least onefastening member. A crotch portion extends from a front portion of thewaist portion and comprises a pocket configured to receive a genitalprotector.

In one form, the leg portions are dimensioned to be worn underneathgoaltender leg pads. Each lower pad is positioned to be at leastpartially overlapped by back flaps of the goaltender leg pads.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now bedescribed various forms thereof, given by way of example, referencebeing made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an undergarment for use by a hockeyplayer;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the undergarment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view showing details of a crotch portionforming part of the undergarment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing details of a sock supportforming part of the undergarment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and rear elevation views, respectively, showingdetails of a pair of shin pad sleeves forming part of the undergarmentof FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view showing details of impact absorbing padsforming part of the undergarment of FIG. 1.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an undergarment for use by a hockey playeris shown and is generally identified by reference numeral 10. Theundergarment 10 comprises a body 20 having a waist portion 30, a crotchportion 40 and a pair of leg portions 50, a sock support 60, a pair ofshin pad sleeves 70, and impact absorbing pads 100. In this form, allelements are made of a material comprising approximately 90% nylon and10% spandex unless otherwise specified.

The waist portion 30 comprises an elastic waist band 32 dimensioned tosnugly fit around the waist of the hockey player.

The crotch portion 40 is better shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen, thecrotch portion 40 comprises a V-shaped pocket 42. The V-shaped pocket 42is secured to the interior of the body 20 via stitching 46. Thestitching 46 extends along each arm of the V-shaped pocket 42, therebydefining an opening 48 providing access to the V-shaped pocket 42. Agenital protector 44 is received by the V-shaped pocket 42 through theopening 48. As will be appreciated, the type of genital protector 44used is dependent on the gender of the hockey player. For male hockeyplayers, a rigid, lightweight plastic genital protector (referred to asa “cup”, “can” or “jock”) shaped to cover and protect the male genitalsis supported in the V-shaped pocket 42. For female hockey players, apadded protector (referred to as a “jill”) shaped to cover and protectthe female genitals is supported in the V-shaped pocket 42.

Turning back to FIGS. 1 and 2, each leg portion 50 extends from thewaist portion 30 and is dimensioned to snugly fit around a respectiveleg of the hockey player. Each leg portion 50 comprises a thigh portion52, a knee portion 54, a calf portion 56 and an ankle portion 58. Inthis form, each leg portion 50 is made of a cut-resistant material suchas for example a Kevlar™ material. It will be appreciated that in otherforms only the ankle portion of the leg portions 50 may be made of acut-resistant material.

The sock support 60 is better shown in FIG. 4. As can be seen, the socksupport 60 comprises a pair of support patches 62. Each support patch 62comprises a pair of support members 64 and 66. The support member 64 isconnected to a front portion of the leg portion 50 via stitching. Theexterior portion of the support member 64 comprises a hook-type VELCRO™material. The support member 66 is connected to the support member 64along a top surface thereof. The interior portion of the support member66 comprises a hook-type VELCRO™ material. A lip 68 extends along anedge of the support member 66 and comprises a loop-type VELCRO™material. In this manner, the hook-type VELCRO™ material of the supportmembers 64 and 66 is used to support the hockey player's hockey socks bygrasping the fibers of the hockey sock, thereby preventing it fromfalling down. The loop-type VELCRO™ material of the support member 66 isused to mate with the hook-type VELCRO™ material of the support member64, when no hockey sock is connected thereto. As will be appreciated,the hockey player's hockey socks are removable from the undergarment 10such that different colored hockey socks may be worn with the sameundergarment 10. For example, a hockey player may selectively wear homecolored socks, away colored socks or practice colored socks with theundergarment 10.

The shin pad sleeves 70 are better shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As can beseen, each shin pad sleeve 70 is dimensioned to receive a shin pad andcomprises inner material 72 and outer material 74. The inner material 72is connected to the front of the leg portion 50 at a position above theknee portion 54 via stitching 76. The inner material 72 wraps around theleg portion 50 and is connected to the back of the leg portion 50 viastitching 78. As such, the inner material 72 radially circumferentiatesthe leg portion 50 and extends longitudinally from a position above theknee portion 54 to a position above the ankle portion 58. The outermaterial 74 overlaps the inner material 72 and is connected to the innermaterial 72 and the leg portion 50 via stitching 78. The outer material74 is also connected to the inner material 72 along the bottom edgethereof via stitching 80. The outer material 74 extends above the top ofthe inner material 72 at the front portion, thereby defining a tab 82for use as a fastening system. In this form, the interior of the tab 82comprises a hook-type VELCRO™ material patch 84. A loop-type VELCRO™material patch 86 is connected to the front of the leg portion 50 abovethe top of the inner material 72. The loop-type VELCRO™ material patch86 mates with the hook-type VELCRO™ material patch 84 when brought intocontact therewith. The bottom front portion of the inner material 72 andthe outer material 74 is U-shaped thereby forming a pocket 75dimensioned to receive the bottom portion of the shin pad. The backbottom portion of the inner material 72 and the outer material 74 isinverse U-shaped, as shown in FIG. 6. Each side bottom portion of theinner material 72 and outer material 74, that is, the position where theU-shape and the inverse U-shape meet, is connected to a respectiveelastic 88. The elastic 88 extends from the side bottom portion of theinner material 72 and outer material 74 to the back of the ankle portion58. The elastic 88 is connected to the back of the ankle portion 58 viastitching 90.

The impact absorbing pads 100 are better shown in FIG. 7. As can beseen, the impact absorbing pads 100 comprise upper impact absorbing pads102 and lower impact absorbing pads 104. In this form, the upper impactabsorbing pads 102 and lower impact absorbing pads 104 are made of afoam material such as for example polythene foam having a thickness of 1cm to 5 cm. Each upper impact absorbing pad 102 is connected to the backof a respective thigh portion 52 via stitching 106. Each lower impactabsorbing pad 104 is connected to the back of a respective calf portion56 via stitching 108. As will be appreciated, the upper impact absorbingpads 102 and the lower impact absorbing pads 104 are connected to theback of the thigh portions 52 and the back of the calf portions 56within the interior of the body 20.

During use, the hockey player puts on the undergarment 10 on, similar toputting on a pair of pants. In this form, the genital protector 44 isalready positioned in the V-shaped pocket 40 and thus the genitalprotector 44 is positioned in the proper place. The hockey player slidestheir shin pads into the shin pad sleeves 70 until a bottom portion ofeach shin pad is positioned in a respective pocket 75. The shin pads aresecured in the shin pad sleeves using the loop-type VELCRO™ materialpatch 86 and the hook-type VELCRO™ material patch 84 positioned on thetab 82. The hockey player then slides their hockey socks over each shinpad, and secures their hockey socks to the undergarment 10 using thesock support 60. The hockey player slides their hockey pants over top ofthe undergarment 10. The hockey player then puts on and ties up theirhockey skates. The hockey player can then pull each pocket 75 (whichcontains the bottom portion of a respective shin pad) to stretch outelastic 88, and can slide the tongue of each of their hockey skatesunderneath a respective pocket 75 (which contains the bottom portion ofa respective shin pad). Alternatively, the hockey player can keep thetongue of each of their hockey skates exterior of a respective pocket 75(which contains the bottom portion of a respective shin pad). The impactabsorbing pads 100 protect the back of the hockey player's thighs andcalves during use, thereby protecting the back of the hockey player'slegs from hockey pucks, hockey sticks and hockey skates.

In one form where the hockey player is a goaltender, the undergarment issimilar to the undergarment described above, with the followingexceptions. In this form, the undergarment does not require shin padsleeves and is configured to be worn underneath goaltender equipment.The V-shaped pocket of the crotch portion is dimensioned to receive agenital protector for a hockey goaltender. Similar to forms above, thegenital protector may be permanently secured in the V-shaped pocket ormay be removeable from the V-shaped pocket. Each upper and lower impactabsorbing pad is positioned and dimensioned to be worn underneathgoaltender equipment such that exposed portions of the back of thegoaltender's legs are protected. The ankle portion is made ofcut-resistant material to protect the goaltender's ankles from being cutby hockey skates. The lower impact absorbing pads are positioned to beat least partially overlapped by back flaps of goaltender leg pads.

In this form, during use, the goaltender puts on the undergarment 10,similar to putting on a pair of pants. In this form, the genitalprotector for the hockey goaltender is already positioned in theV-shaped pocket 40 and thus the genital protector is positioned in theproper place. The goaltender then slides their selected color of hockeysocks over each leg portion, and secures their hockey socks to theundergarment 10 using the sock support 60. The goaltender slides theirhockey pants over top of the undergarment 10. The goaltender then putson and ties up their hockey goaltender skates. The goaltender then putson their goaltender leg pads such that the lower impact absorbing padsare positioned to be overlapped by back flaps of the goaltender legpads. Straps of the goaltender leg pads are secured, thereby curving theback flaps around the calf of their leg. As such, at least a portion ofthe back flaps overlap the lower impact absorbing pads. The impactabsorbing pads and the cut-resistant material protect exposed portionsof the goaltender's ankles, calves and thighs during use, therebyprotecting the back of the goaltenders legs from hockey pucks, hockeysticks and hockey skates.

Although in various forms described above the waist portion is describedas comprising an elastic waist band, those skilled in the art willappreciate that variations are available. For example, in another formthe waist portion may comprise a draw-string type waist band, a zipperor a buckle.

Although in forms described above the shin pad sleeves are described ascomprising a fastening system to allow the shin pads to be securedtherein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternatives areavailable. For example, in another form the shin pads may be sewn intothe undergarment such that they are not readily removable therefrom.

Although in forms described above the undergarment is described ascomprising shin pad sleeves, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat alternatives are available. For example, in another form theundergarment may not have the shin pad sleeves. In this form, the hockeyplayer's shin pads may be connected to the undergarment through use ofone or more Velcro straps or disposable hockey tape.

Although in forms described above the shine pad sleeves are described asbeing attached to the leg portions via stitching, those skilled in theart will appreciate that alternatives are available. For example, inanother form the shin pad sleeves may be removably attached to the legportions through use of a VELCRO™ type system or other suitableattachment devices such as for example snaps, a zippers, etc.

Although in forms described above the genital protector is described asbeing removable through an opening in the crotch portion, those skilledin the art will appreciate that alternatives are available. For example,in another form the genital protector may be sewn into the crotchportion such that it is not readily removable therefrom. In anotherform, the crotch portion may include a VELCRO™ type or other suitabletype of fastening system to secure the genital protector therein.

In another form, the shin pad sleeves may include slots to receivestraps associated with the shin pads. In this form, once the shin padsare inserted into the shin pad sleeves, the associated straps can bethreaded through the slots to further secure the shin pads to the hockeyplayer's legs.

Although in forms described above, the impact absorbing pads aredescribed as being made of a foam material such as for example polythenefoam having a thickness of 1 cm to 5 cm, those skilled in the art willappreciate that alternatives are available. For example, in another formthe impact absorbing pads may be made of a closed cell foam. In anotherform, the impact absorbing pads may be made of a washable foam. In otherforms, the impact absorbing pads may be made of a gel material, a rubbermaterial or a silicon material.

Although in forms described above, the impact absorbing pads aredescribed as comprising an upper impact absorbing pad and a lower impactabsorbing pad, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatalternatives are available. For example, in another form only a lowerimpact absorbing pad may be used. In another form, a plurality of smallimpact absorbing pads may be used and may be equally spaced along theback of the leg portion.

Although in forms described above, the impact absorbing pads aredescribed as being sewn into the interior of the leg portions of theundergarment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternativesare available. For example, in another form, the interior of the legportions may have pockets sewn therein for receiving the impactabsorbing pads. In this form, the impact absorbing pads are insertedinto the pockets for use, and can be removed when the undergarment is tobe washed.

In another form, the undergarment may be provided with patches made of abreathable material to increase the breathability of the undergarmentduring use.

Although in forms described above, all elements are described as beingmade of a material comprising approximately 90% nylon and 10% spandexunless otherwise specified, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat alternative materials may be used. For example, in another form theelements are made of elastane or a spandex mesh or other breathablematerial. In another form these elements may be made of a combination ofthese materials.

Although in forms described above the sock support is described ascomprising a VELCRO™-type system, those skilled in the art willappreciate that alternatives are available. For example, in another forma garter-type system may be used.

Although in forms described above the shin pad sleeves are described ascomprising tabs used as a fastening system, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that alternatives are available. For example, in anotherform elastic straps or bands may be used to retain the shin pads in theshin pad sleeves.

Although forms have been described above with reference to theaccompanying drawings, those of skill in the art will appreciate thatvariations and modifications may be made without departing from thescope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosureare intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variationsare not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective undergarment comprising: a waistportion comprising an elastic material and being dimensioned to besnugly worn about a waist of a body and of a wearer; a pair of legportions comprising an elastic material and extending from the waistportion, each leg portion dimensioned to encircle a leg of the wearer'sbody and comprising an ankle portion comprising a cut-resistantmaterial; and impact absorbing pads connected to a back side of each ofsaid leg portions configured to protect a back of the wearer's legs, theimpact absorbing pads comprising a lower pad to protect a calf portionof the wearer's legs.
 2. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein the impactabsorbing pads comprise an upper pad to protect a back of a thighportion of the wearer's legs.
 3. The undergarment of claim 1 comprisinga sock support connected to each of said leg portions, the sock supportconfigured to secure a removable sock.
 4. The undergarment of claim 3wherein the sock support comprises at least one fastening member.
 5. Theundergarment of claim 4 wherein the at least one fastening member is oneof a hook and loop and a garter-type hook.
 6. The undergarment of claim1 wherein the cut resistant material is a para-aramid syntheticmaterial.
 7. The undergarment of claim 1 comprising a crotch portionextending from a front of the waist portion, the crotch portioncomprising a pocket configured to receive a genital protector.
 8. Theundergarment of claim 7 further comprising the genital protector,wherein the pocket is configured to permanently secure the genitalprotector therein.
 9. The undergarment of claim 7 wherein the pocket isconfigured to releasably secure the genital protector therein.
 10. Theundergarment of claim 7 wherein the genital protector is one of a jockand a jill.
 11. The undergarment of claim 7 wherein the genitalprotector is a genital protector for a hockey goaltender.
 12. Theundergarment of claim 1 wherein the leg portions are dimensioned to beworn underneath goaltender leg pads.
 13. The undergarment of claim 12wherein each lower pad is positioned to protect portions of the legexposed when the undergarment is worn underneath goaltender leg pads.14. The undergarment of claim 12 wherein each lower pad is positioned tobe at least partially overlapped by back flaps of the goaltender legpads.